07/27/2026
DRAGON THRONE
At the heart of the Forbidden City, the Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) used to be the place where emperors received high officials and exercised their rule over the nation. Grand ceremonies would be held here when a new emperor ascended to throne. Celebrations also marked the emperor's birthday, wedding ceremony, conferment of empress, and other important occasions such as Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, and the dispatch of generals into fields of war. In the center of the hall is the Dragon Throne, the Grand Chair of State. The gold lacquered throne with carvings of dragons symbolizing the supreme imperial power, sits on a seven-floor base.
During ceremonies in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the civil officials and military officers would position themselves according to their ranks and kneel down as guards of honor stood by. The emperor seated on his throne was wreathed in fragrant clouds of incense rising from the incense burners inside and outside the hall. The throne is so high that the emperor's feet were 11 meters (36 feet) above the heads of his officials when they knelt in the courtyard. Such design intensifies the imposing dignity of the ruler, and surrounds the throne and building with an atmosphere of mystery and awe leaving an impression upon all attendants that the emperor was the "Son of Heaven".